My favorite is Constantine I. It’s idealized to the point where it’s almost anime-esque, where it’s clearly a representation of a human being, but just a representation - while earlier coin depictions made the Emperor look like someone you could reach out and touch - a real person, not just an abstract holder of ultimate power.
Oh that’s fascinating. Yeah I can actually imagine Constantine I in a Speed Racer style cartoon.
Valentinian III looks like a Ty big eyes toy. Were these huge eyes meant to symbolise being wise, or were they an early example of surveillance theater?
It’s great! Something about idealisations is fascinating in itself, the various things cultures focus on.
Arcadius looks suspiciously like Elizabeth I.
Happened in coins too!
Coin depicting Vespasian (Pagan, Principate era, ~70 AD)
Coin depicting Caracalla (Pagan, Crisis of the Third Century, ~210 AD)
Coin depicting Constantine I (Christian, Late Empire, ~320 AD)
Coin depicting Julian the Apostate (Pagan, Late Empire, ~363 AD)
Coin depicting Valentinian III (Christian, Late Empire, ~455 AD)
My favorite is Constantine I. It’s idealized to the point where it’s almost anime-esque, where it’s clearly a representation of a human being, but just a representation - while earlier coin depictions made the Emperor look like someone you could reach out and touch - a real person, not just an abstract holder of ultimate power.
Oh that’s fascinating. Yeah I can actually imagine Constantine I in a Speed Racer style cartoon.
Valentinian III looks like a Ty big eyes toy. Were these huge eyes meant to symbolise being wise, or were they an early example of surveillance theater?
Heavenly vision and wisdom, I think. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if “THE EMPEROR IS WATCHING YOU” was a motivation too.